While the flu is tracking higher than usual, doctors are specifically warning families about a sharp rise in Pertussis (Whooping Cough). Known as the “100-Day Cough” because of its exhausting longevity, the infection is surging in communities where vaccination rates have dipped.
According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), the number of confirmed cases in January 2026 is outpacing the five-year average, with significant clusters appearing in the state’s most populated regions.
The Hotspots: Where is it Spreading?
The outbreak is currently tracking highest in three specific areas. Residents here should be on high alert:
- The Triangle (Wake & Durham Counties): Pediatric urgent care centers in Cary, Apex, and Chapel Hill are seeing a spike in school-aged children testing positive for Pertussis.
- Mecklenburg County: Health officials in Charlotte have flagged a rise in cases, noting that the “Subclade K” flu strain is also complicating diagnoses.
- Western NC (Buncombe County): Following a surge in late 2025, Asheville is seeing a “second wave” of cases, particularly among adults who have not received a booster shot in over a decade.
Is it a Cold, the Flu, or the ‘100-Day Cough’?
The danger of the “100-Day Cough” is that it mimics a harmless cold for the first week. By the time the violent coughing starts, you have already exposed your family…